A failed attempt by MPs to introduce stricter labelling of kosher and halal meat has boosted shechita campaigners.

A group of Conservative MPs had hoped to secure an amendment to the Consumer Rights Bill which would have called for all products containing halal and kosher meat to be labelled as such.

But the plan was rejected in the Commons on Tuesday, with the government opposing the amendment.

Experts suggested that the proposals had been “hasty” and “not well thought-out”. It was hoped that the vote was an indication that the pro-shechita campaign was “getting its message across”.

In a separate development on Tuesday, Shechita UK director, Shimon Cohen, and Chanoch Kesselman of the United Orthodox Hebrew Congregation, gave evidence to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Beef and Lamb.

Shechita UK had submitted written evidence to the group arguing that shechita was humane, and that labelling should apply to meat produced by all methods of slaughter.

The row over kosher and halal practices intensified last week after the Sun newspaper reported on Pizza Express serving only halal chicken in its restaurants. It led to widespread media criticism of the use of unlabelled halal meat in restaurants and supermarkets.

In response, Shechita UK chairman Henry Grunwald and Muslim Council of Britain deputy general secretary Dr Shuja Shafi wrote to the Telegraph to defend religious slaughter.